In this image made from amateur video released by the Shaam News Network and accessed Wednesday, July 18, 2012, Syrians celebrate after hearing about the suicide attack that hit the National Security building in Idlib, north Syria.

A TIME reporter was in Syria’s restive Idlib province when news broke that Defense Minister Daoud Rajiha and deputy army chief, Assef Shawkat — who is also President Bashar Assad’s brother-in-law — had been killed in a dramatic attack in one of the most secure areas of Damascus, the country’s capital and the heart of the regime.

Celebratory gunfire filled the air even as some fighters admonished their comrades to “Save the bullets! We will need them.” To which came the reply, “Not today!”

There was reason not to draw too much attention, however. The town is surrounded by regime tanks and one fired off a shell in response to the armed merriment. The Assad loyalists had been through the community of 50,000 people several months ago–with the burnt out remains of shops and homes in painful evidence. Many of the shops have not reopened since, their gates warped and broken even as they shutter their wares.

Nevertheless, the celebration over the deaths of the dreaded officials in Damascus soon became an impromptu parade, with people marching behind several pick-up trucks. A local mosque blared out the news as well, sending a message to the loyalist troops just outside the town: “You are out brothers! Join us!”

Despite being ravaged by the regime’s army, Idlib has been trying to propel the uprising in Damascus. According to Free Syrian Army sources, the province has responded to requests from rebels in the capital by sending 1,500 fighters to Damascus. The request was specifically for ex-soldiers, not civilians. More apparently are on the way.

If you're interested in what's going on in Syria, check out Democracy Now! With the recent turn in events they had an interview with British author Patrick Seale. He's one of the leading writers on the events transpiring in the middle east. Check it out at democracynow.org. For their other coverage go to: http://www.democracynow.org/to...